The Indian Air Force has announced the next officer-entry cycle through AFCAT 01/2027 for courses commencing in January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. The short notice was released on 2 November 2026 and covers Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical), NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Online registration is scheduled to open on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and close on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM through the official AFCAT portal. This is a future-opening Defence recruitment for Commissioned Officer training rather than a civilian post. At a basic level, eligibility depends on the branch selected and can involve Class 12 mathematics/physics, graduation, engineering qualifications, professional degrees or GATE/NCC credentials. Flying Branch age is generally 20–24 years, while Ground Duty branches generally allow 20–26 years, subject to the detailed notification and date-of-birth rules. On commissioning, Flying Officers are placed in Pay Level 10, ₹56,100–₹1,77,500, plus Military Service Pay as admissible. The short notice does not provide a reliable final branch-wise vacancy count, so this package intentionally leaves vacancies unnumbered until the detailed AFCAT 01/2027 notification is released with registration.
Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Air Force |
| Examination | AFCAT 01/2027 |
| Entry | Commissioned Officer |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical |
| Other entries | NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Short notice date | 2 November 2026 |
| Application start | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Course commencement | January 2028 |
| Training | Air Force Academy, Dundigal |
| Vacancy count | To be confirmed in detailed notification |
| Pay on commissioning | Level 10: ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 + applicable MSP |
Entry and Branches
AFCAT 01/2027 covers:
- Flying Branch
- Ground Duty (Technical)
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
- NCC Special Entry for Flying Branch
- GATE Score Entry for Ground Duty (Technical)
The detailed notification is expected to publish the final branch-wise vacancy breakup, gender distribution and commission type.
Basic Qualification
Eligibility is branch-specific.
Candidates may need Class 12 Physics and Mathematics, a recognised graduation degree, engineering degree, professional qualification, NCC Air Wing certificate or valid GATE score depending on the entry selected.
Applicants should use the detailed AFCAT 01/2027 notification for the exact percentage and subject combination.
Age Limit
Broad age bands are:
| Branch | Age |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20–24 years |
| Ground Duty Technical / Non-Technical | 20–26 years |
Exact date-of-birth limits and relaxations must be checked in the detailed notification.
Pay and Training Stipend
During training, the reported stipend is ₹56,100 per month.
On commissioning as Flying Officer, the pay scale is Level 10: ₹56,100–₹1,77,500, plus applicable Military Service Pay and allowances under Indian Air Force rules.
Vacancy Count
The short notice does not provide a reliable final vacancy total.
Some third-party reports circulate a numerical figure, but the detailed official notification with branch-wise vacancies is due with the application opening. Regal Naukri should update this section only after that official table is available.
Selection Process
The AFCAT selection process generally includes:
- AFCAT online examination for applicable entries
- Air Force Selection Board testing
- Medical examination
- Final merit based on notified criteria
NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry follow their respective official selection routes.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short notice released | 2 November 2026 |
| Online application opens | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Course begins | January 2028 |
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2027
- Open the official AFCAT application portal from 12 November 2026.
- Read the detailed AFCAT 01/2027 notification before selecting a branch or entry.
- Use the Regal Naukri Eligibility Pre-check to organise age and qualification details.
- Keep Class 10/12, graduation/engineering and entry-specific certificates ready.
- Use the Government Job Document Checklist.
- Review the Photo & Signature Guide before uploading images.
- Complete the online form, choose the correct entry and pay the applicable fee where required.
- Submit by 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM and retain the application copy.
Important Candidate Notes
- This package is based on the official short-notice stage.
- Final vacancies are intentionally not stated until the detailed notification confirms them.
- Qualification, age and medical standards are branch-specific.
- NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry have different eligibility and selection provisions from standard AFCAT entry.
- Candidates should rely only on the official AFCAT portal for the detailed notification and any corrigendum.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official AFCAT portal | AFCAT Online |
| Indian Air Force careers | Career Indian Air Force |
FAQ
When do AFCAT 01/2027 applications open?
12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM.
What is the last date?
11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
Which branches are covered?
Flying, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical, along with NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
How many vacancies are there?
The final branch-wise vacancy count has not been reliably published in the short notice. It should be updated from the detailed notification.
What is the basic age limit?
Generally 20–24 years for Flying and 20–26 years for Ground Duty branches, subject to the detailed notification.
What is the pay scale?
Flying Officer pay is Level 10, ₹56,100–₹1,77,500, plus applicable Military Service Pay and allowances.
When will training begin?
The course is scheduled to commence in January 2028.
Is this already live on Regal Naukri?
No matching AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment page was found during the duplicate gate used for this package.